MISSION, VISION & VALUES

MISSION: To empower Ethiopian communities through clean water access, education, economic opportunity and health care –all driven by local leadership and community collaboration.

WEEMA believes in holistic, community-led development that includes close collaboration with local governments and grassroots community groups. We take a bottom up approach through community leadership, women's participation and local champions. We also work on strengthening systems to improve water access, medical care, education, and economic opportunity in order to meet basic human needs.

VISION: To live in a world where every person has access to the basic necessities for human survival and dignity.

VALUES:

Act with integrity

Be responsible and responsive

Strengthen existing systems, nurture local talent, and be guided by community feedback

Respect local culture and traditions

Attain sustainability

HISTORY

Founded in 2011, WEEMA International began as "Mudula Water" with the distinct mission to bring clean water to over 10,000 people living in Mudula, Ethiopia. After a year of fundraising, the organization raised $150,000 and built a gravity flow pipeline with eight water taps.

Liz McGovern, WEEMA's founder, was inspired by meetings with individuals from Mudula living in the United States who provided clear information on four areas essential to the well-being of Mudula's inhabitants. Everyone needed access to clean water, yes, but they also needed a long-term maternal child health program to combat maternal and infant mortality, kindergartens to educate their young children and a public library for study and connection to the rest of Ethiopia and the world. In 2013, Mudula Water changed its name to WEEMA International to better reflect its expanded work, reach and mission.

WEEMA International became a registered non-governmental organization in Ethiopia in 2013 with the head office in Addis Ababa and a field office in the Kembata-Tembaro Zone.